Crafting is fun for all ages and interests. This blog evolved from researching resources for friends and articles I write as a freelance writer. It is a place to share the information I discovered. Please feel free to leave comments and questions. I am always looking at new projects ideas for family and friends in areas of my own abilities and theirs.
As a notice to my readers this blog does contain Amazon links and Google Adsense.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

I had people asking about free patterns for tissue boxes so I began a search to find locate what resources were available on the Internet. This is what I have located so far in my search.

Update: February 28, 2014

A visitor kindly let me know some of the links had gone dead so I went and checked. Thankfully the Free Pattern main link was still live. They do occasionally move some of their patterns, but all where still on the site. Any time you visit their site; always try a search if you don't find a pattern you went to find. They do move stuff and you may find it there under a different link. The same was true of tsplace. Still around, just a link change. From what I can find it looks like Mountain Harmony is trying to transition to a new website. It has an updated coming soon message from 2014, but it looks like the transition started in 2013. For the moment, I have the links saved from the Wayback machine. If the new website comes up, I'll try to get the new links posted.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Plastic Canvas toys make wonderful gifts for children. I came across patterns while searching for other items and decided to find more. I will continue to research and please feel free to leave comments with more.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

I have been searching for some out of print patterns for dolls. Last week I used a site I have listed on my education blog for books. Before anyone gets concerned, I am not a spokesperson for the site and there are no paid ads for the company. I have no control over choosing the specific Adsense ads or you can be sure the options would change.

I had been frustrated because many of the doll books for Barbie and other dolls are currently out of print. Biblio.com is a bookseller that links booksellers together. You can go to the site, search, and find sellers that offer what you are looking for at various prices and shipping costs. I have used them for education products and out of print paperbacks that I have wanted to purchase. I am not a huge auction fan, as I like to be able to buy what I want without needing to challenge someone to a bidding war over it. I like a predictable price that allows me to decide if I want to purchase it and lets me have it without waiting a week or paying a premium for the option of buying it now. That is why Biblio appeals as an alternative. I can shop directly at stores that have the books I want with the prices and costs stated upfront.

Obviously, the basic rules of purchasing apply. Know what the product is worth. While the price and shipping costs for the two Barbie books were reasonable based on research I had done, other prices were not. For instance, I decided to look for a book that is currently in print to see if I could find a second hand copy for cheaper than I could purchase the book new. The used prices from those vendors were higher than I could have purchased the book at Amazon new. Buyer beware is always the motto when buying anything. However, if looking for some out of print craft books this may be one more resource.